When chatting with Us Weekly, Padma let this nugget drop: "I’m friends with Aziz Ansari and I would really like to have him on the show because of how much of a food freak he is. I basically designed a whole season of the show and everything just so he could eat better." Alas, the Master of None star won't appear on the upcoming season — but his former co-star Lena Waithe will make a cameo as a guest judge.

When asked if she's ever worked with any guest judges who turned out to be less than ideal in the role, Padma was as diplomatic as ever. "I think at the time we had those people on the show, we had a great argument for having them on the show or we did not know what was to come out or come to light about their behavior," she shared. And no, she didn't name names.

"Without naming any specific names, I stand by the decisions that the show has made at the time they were made,” Padma said. “When things have come to light and it was in our control to prevent that person from being seen on screen, we have done it." Catch up with Padma and the rest of the foodie gang during the Season 16 premiere of Top Chef on December 6 at 9/8 c.

The Feast is Bravo’s digital destination serving culinary inspiration and essential food news. Like us on Facebook and visit daily for diet and wellness trends, kitchen hacks and tools — and the buzziest celebrity, chef, and restaurant happenings you need to know about right now.